1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,

Let us put away everything that divides us from God and his Word, and separates us from the teachings of Christ; let us eagerly hunger and thirst for the spiritual nourishment of the whole Word of God just as a babe cries out for milk.

2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 2:3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Let us come to God the Father through Jesus Christ the living stone and rock of our salvation. Let us diligently follow Christ to also become living stones, and to become a part of the living spiritual house [Temple, dwelling place] of God the Father.

2:4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the chief foundation stone of the true spiritual Ekklesia; the foundation on which the Ekklesia is to be built.

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

2:20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

2:21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 2:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Often we think this applies to the worldly being offended in Christ, not realizing that Christ is a rock of offence to almost all brethren in the church of God today.

What? Are we not Christians? Do we not follow Christ? The answer to that is NO!

Because we do not DO what Christ taught and DID!

We follow the false traditions of men which make the Word of God of no effect; making idols of men, in place of being zealous to learn and to live by every Word of God.

Matthew 15:6 . . . Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 15:9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

By being disobedient to any part of the Word of God we reject the author of that Word: Jesus Christ and God the Father!

Today, those who call themselves God’s people reject God by following idols of men, corporate entities and false traditions; in place of living by every Word of God!

1 Peter 2:7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word,being disobedient [disobedient to the Word of God and leading the brethren astray from godliness into following men]: whereunto also they were appointed

It was predetermined from the beginning that many false teachers would come into the Ekklesia to TEST the faithfulness to God of the brethren,

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license to continue in sin], and denying the only Lord God [the Father], and our Lord Jesus Christ [by following idols of men and refusing to live by every Word of God].

1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, [chosen to become a] a royal priesthood [of the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ], an holy nation[a godly spiritual Israel], a peculiar [special]people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him [should be an example of the Light of God the Father] who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light [the Light of the whole Word of God];

We who were sinners of all nations, are called by God the Father to himself through Christ, to join together to become one people in zeal for God; so that through sincere repentance and living by every Word of God through the power of God’s Spirit (Mat 4:4); we might be granted God’s mercy and become an example and Shining Light of godliness to all people.

2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

If we set a proper example in keeping God’s Word, the wicked will see our example and while they reject it now, they will remember that example in the day that their eyes are opened and they will glorify God in that day.

2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims [in this world], abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul [spirit]; 2:12Having your conversation [words and conduct] honest among the Gentiles [among the unconverted]: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good [godly example and works of faith] works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation [of Christ’s coming].

Submit to every law of governments, as long as they do not conflict with the Word of God; and if they make laws forbidding us to keep God’s laws, or requiring us to sin, we are to flee that jurisdiction.

2:13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 2:14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

2:15For so is the will of God, that with well doing [keeping God’s law and the law of the land and doing good works] ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:2:16As free [from bondage to sin and false traditions, but not misusing that freedom to disrespect the present authorities], and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Put God first and then honor those in authority over us.

2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

If we are punished by men for doing wrong in society, we have no glory; but if we obey God and are punished by men for obeying God, we have a reward reserved for us in heaven.

2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

We are to follow the example of Jesus Christ and endure all things to persevere in the calling of God, because God is allowing the trials in our lives to perfect us and to make us into the people God wants us to become.

2:21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being [we are to be dead to sin] dead to sins, should live unto righteousness [we are to live by every Word of God which is righteousness]: by whose stripes ye were [spiritually healed from sin] healed.

2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray [into sin and straying away from our Shepherd]; but are now returned [now called to return to God the Father through Jesus Christ] unto the Shepherd and Bishop [the High Priest, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd; and the owner of the flock being God the Father] of your souls [lives].